THE HYDRO NATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 2022 – OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The Hydro Nation Scholars Programme is part of the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation strategy. The objective of the strategy is to develop the economic, environmental and social value of Scotland’s water resources. The Hydro Nation Scholars play an important role in supporting this by:

• developing understanding of how and where best to develop the value of Scotland’s water resources
• focusing on enhancing Scottish capacity in areas of existing research excellence
• providing new research and insights where there are gaps related to water resources in Scotland.

Projects with international elements will be expected to recognise and reflect in their design the key territories set out in the Scottish Government’s International Development Framework, and of those Malawi in particular. Projects in other territories can be considered, but priority will be given to projects which can demonstrate a clear understanding of recent or current Hydro Nation international activity.

The Programme and the associated graduate school are managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by the Hydro Nation International Centre at the James Hutton Institute and steered by an Executive Group (HNSEG) drawing on Scotland’s water policy, industry, and academic network.

THE PROGRAMME

The Hydro Nation Scholars Programme is an open competition for project topics and then for PhD Scholars to undertake approved projects, hosted within Scottish Universities and Research Institutes.

Full funding is available from the Scottish Government (to host institutions via the Scottish Funding Council) for up to 7 PhD scholarships. Home, EU and international/overseas Scholars can be considered and are defined according to a Scholar’s status for University admissions. The funding available will be in line with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) doctoral stipend levels and indicative fees.

Scholars will be allocated £2,500 per annum for Travel and Subsistence and all fees and stipend will be covered. Scholars will be funded for 4 years.

Scholars will benefit from specialised programmes provided under the auspices of the Hydro Nation Graduate School.

APPLICATIONS

The following projects are now available for applications:

• Understanding the economic consequences of changes in water availability and water policy in Scotland: a computable general equilibrium analysis– Dr Scott McGrane, University of Strathclyde; Dr Gioele Figus, University of Strathclyde; Professor Cecilia Tortajada, University of Glasgow.
• Enhancing Scotland’s resilience to climate change – a blue-green infrastructure inclusivity framework based on community-centred nature-based solutions– Dr Rebecca Wade, Abertay University; Professor Sue Dawson, University of Dundee; Dr Joel Borges Pinto da Rocha, Abertay University.
• Photodynamic treatment of reservoirs to eliminate taste and odours from blue-green algae- Professor Linda A Lawton, Robert Gordon University; Professor Graham A Turnbull, University of St Andrews; Dr Carlos J Pestana, Robert Gordon University.
• Making Nature Based Solutions at the Landscape Scale A Reality: An investigation of the barriers and spatial disconnection between NBS Investments and Beneficiaries- Dr Ian Pattison, Heriot-Watt University; Professor Lindsay Beevers, Heriot-Watt University.
• From Grey to Blue and Green: Devising an inclusive infrastructure for Scotland- Dr Husam Al Waer, University of Dundee; Professor Sue Dawson, University of Dundee; Professor Mel Woods, University of Dundee.
• An inclusive and sustainable blue space infrastructure for people with disabilities in Scotland post-Covid-19 pandemic - Dr Edward Hall, University of Dundee; Dr Sarah Halliday, University of Dundee; Dr Husam Al Waer, University of Dundee.
• Smart monitoring technologies for water quality and sustainable supply management- Dr Abdelfateh Kerrouche, Edinburgh Napier University; Dr Eulyn Pagaling, James Hutton Institute; Dr Helen Bridle, Heriot-Watt University; Dr Lisa Avery, James Hutton Institute.
• Overcoming socio-economic barriers to develop a ‘beyond compliance’ culture of water reuse in Scotland- Dr Dominic Duckett, James Hutton Institute; Dr Mads Troldborg, James Hutton Institute; Dr Sarah Hendry; University of Dundee.
• Exploring inclusivity factors for climate resilient Blue-Green Infrastructure- Professor Lindsay Beevers, Heriot-Watt University; Dr Katherine Irvine, James Hutton Institute; Dr Claire Hardy, James Hutton Institute.
• Novel sensor technology and machine learning approaches for detection and identification of micro- and nanoplastics in surface waters using Raman spectroscopy- Dr Reza Haghi, James Hutton Institute; Dr Sandhya Devalla, James Hutton Institute; Dr Radhakrishna Prabhu, Robert Gordon University; Dr Miriam Glendell, James Hutton Institute.

 

 

NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

• To apply for any of above projects, please visit FindAPhD.com.
• The projects will be advertised from Friday 5^th November 2021 to Friday 7^th January 2022. Please visit FindAPhD.com to view the full project adverts and the contact details of the primary supervisor.
• Applicants are strongly advised to make an informal enquiry about the PhD to the primary supervisor well before the final submission deadline. 
• Applicants must send a completed application form (available below), their Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter to the primary supervisor by the final submission deadline of 7^th January.
• Eligibility: Applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent).
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 27th or 28th January 2022.
• Although approved for advertisement, this does not mean that the project has been successful in securing the funding from the Scottish Government.
• PhD candidates for approved advertised projects will be interviewed with recommendations made to the Scottish Government, who will take the final decision on the award of Scholarships.

 

Summary timetable for recruitment for 2022

Advertisement of Approved Projects	5th November 2021
Deadline for Scholar Applications	7th January 2022
PhD Scholar Interviews	27th and 28th January 2022
Final Decisions on PhD Scholars	Mid-February 2022

 

The HNSP Scholar Application form for the 2022 call can be downloaded here.